November’s Most Popular Blog– YOLO

How a simple four-letter acronym defies everything we’ve ever learned in Sunday School.

By Wait&Hope

Florida

This was our most popular blog for November!  Tune in next week to see what other blogs have made their mark!

I
n the Age of Technology, it has become the norm to see words abbreviated and whole phrases condensed into three- or four-letter acronyms, smh.  However, there is one acronym that I simply cannot stand, and it irks my soul to hear Christians use it in everyday conversation: YOLO.  You Only Live Once.

The vast majority of instances I have heard YOLO being said, it was as justification for a not-so-good action: skipping class, breaking curfews, and other activities not pleasing in the sight of God.  YOLO is society’s brand-new invention to defend immoral acts and to defy everything Christianity teaches us.

St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:32, “If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’”  We can reword that in today’s terms: “Let us eat and drink, for YOLO!”  However, notice the clause, “If the dead do not rise.”  We Christians believe in the Resurrection of the dead (as we- absent-minded or not- proclaim in the Orthodox Creed).  The Resurrection of the dead is our hope and joy, the very reason for our existence.  If we don’t believe that we will live again eternally, then by all means, party-on, because YOLO.  In contrast, it would be hypocritical to believe in both the Orthodox Creed and YOLO.

I read a meme once that stated something to the effect of, “Easter is the day that Christ beat YOLO up.” It’s true.  Through the Resurrection, we have been given a chance to live twice; once on Earth, and another- God willing- in heaven.  Possessing a “YOLO attitude” can ruin one’s chances for this second eternal life.  If one constantly commits wrong and justifies it by “Hey! You only live once,” then that person has sadly missed the mark for eternal life.  It’s time for us to give up this YOLO attitude.  This is the attitude of the children of the world.  But we are the children of God, who live in His fear and hope in His promises.  And He has promised to reward us with a second life, a beautiful, blissful, and eternal one, if we abide by His word and love Him whole-heartedly on Earth.

You only live once- on Earth.  And if you live it correctly, you will live again forever.